Historic Railroad Hiking Trail – Boulder City, Nevada - Atlas Obscura
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Historic Railroad Hiking Trail

Boulder City, Nevada

An old railroad grade built for the construction of Hoover Dam is now a recreational trail featuring several tunnels and sweeping views of Lake Mead. 

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Near the beginning of the trail, heading out. slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Near the beginning of the trail, heading out. slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
The tunnels are big. slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Another tunnel. slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Dropping toward the dam. slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Cactus bloom along the trail during spring TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
Proceed with caution, gate is chained at sunset TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
Scenic overlook at trailhead TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
Scenic overlook at trailhead TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
Scenic overlook at trailhead with Hemenway harbor in the distance TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
Lake Mead from the trail. slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Lake Mead from the trail. Fortification Hill is the basalt mesa on the skyline to the right. slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
A coyote off the trail, on the return. slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
The first tunnel. slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Lake Mead Marina at Hemenway Harbor. Looking northwest; Saddle Island and the old intake for Las Vegas in the distance. slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
Lake Mead from the trail. The prominent point between the camera and Fortification Hill is Promontory Point. slgwv (Atlas Obscura User)
trail marker Avoiding Regret (Creative Commons)
Tunnel opening, with a view of the lake Avoiding Regret (Creative Commons)
trail Avoiding Regret (Creative Commons)
Timbered tunnel is a haven for Mexican free-tail bats TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
Cactus bloom along the trail during spring TheColorDana (Atlas Obscura User)
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Hoover Dam, of course, is a famous technological megaproject from the 1930s, spanning the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona.  At the time, the railroad was the only practical transportation technology for such a large project, so a dedicated rail line was constructed to the dam site.

The upper rail line, which ran nearly to the top of the dam, got some desultory use after the dam’s completion, but the tracks were torn up after the last generator was installed in 1961. For decades, the old right-of-way just sat, blocked off with fences and “No Trespassing” signs.

However, it has since been repurposed as a recreational trail. The trail offers expansive views of Lake Mead and traverses several tunnels, and ends at the Visitor Center on the Nevada side. The trail is also open to bicycles and leashed dogs.

Know Before You Go

The trailhead is just beyond the Lake Mead Visitor Center, which is off US Business 93 on Lakeshore Road, near the entrance to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.


Important: Security is much tighter beyond the last tunnel (#5), as you get near the dam. Take the "Stay on Trail" signs seriously. The gate beyond this tunnel is also locked at sunset.

dams trails railroads nature
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